Lock



Jan. 19, 1937. J. W. FlTZ GERALD l 2,068,405

LOCK

1 Filed Dec. 11, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y 17m Lam/2552517" J. W. FlTZGERALD LOCK Jam. 19, 193?.

Filed Dec. 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 475/727 WE/zF m/U Patented Jan. 19,1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK Application December 11, 1933,Serial No. 701,839

25 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in looks and refers moreparticularly to key controlled tumbler locks.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a lock havinggreater security against unauthorized opening either by picking ordecoding, than locks heretofore in use.

With this general object in view, this invention contemplates theprovision of novel means for positively interlocking the lock cylinderwith its casing in the event torsional stress is applied to the cylinderwithout first properly retracting the tumblers.

The invention also contemplates the provision of an interlocking meanswhich is so constructed that it provides the edges adjacent the ends ofthe tumblers, and which by reason of the movement of the interlockingmeans with the cylinder are at all times so located that no surfaceremains against which the tumblers might be brought to bear in anattempt at decoding.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide means topositively interlock the cylinder and its casing in the event ofrotation without first retracting all of the tumblers, which means is inthe form of a cylinder or sleeve completely encircling the lock cylinderand having diametrically opposite openings to receive the tumbler endsthrough which rotaw tion of the lock cylinder is transmitted to thesleeve.

Another object of this invention is to so form the openings in theinterlocking sleeve as to increase the protection against thepossibility of decoding.

A still further object of this invention is to mount the interlockingsleeve independently of the lock cylinder and in such a manner that itspurpose cannot be wilfully defeated by cramping 49 it either against thelock cylinder or the outer casing or by having it bind on the cylinderor casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel means forpositively interlocking the lock cylinder with its casing in the eventtorsional stress is applied to the cylinder without first properlyretracting the tumblers.

In this respect, it is a further object of this invention to so form theinterlocking means that all edges adjacent the ends of the tumblers movewith the .cylinder so that no surface remains against which the tumblersmight be brought to bear in an attempt at decoding.

Another object of this invention is to mount 5;, the interlocking memberindependently of the lock cylinder and in such a manner that its purposecannot be wilfully defeated by cramping it against either the lockcylinder or the outer casing, or by having it bind on the cylinder orcasing by corrosion.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lock in which certainof the tumblers are formed to be engageable with or hook over anadjacent edge during an attempt at picking so that it is impossible topull these particular tumblers down sufficiently far to free thecylinder for rotation. I

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdescribed and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it beingunderstood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated two complete examplesof the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to thebest modes I have so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a lock embodying this invention, the outercasing and shell being shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lock cylinder per se removed fromthe rest of the lock;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the interlocking member;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the stationary mounting sleeve;

Figure 5 is a cross section view through Figure 1 on the plane of theline 5-5;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section view through Figure 5 on the plane ofthe line 6-6;

Figure 7 is a side view with parts broken away and in section showing amodified embodiment of this invention;

Figure 8 is a cross section view of the modified embodiment shown inFigure '7, said view being taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure9; and

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section view through Figure'Z, substantiallyon the plane of the line 99.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in whichlike numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, thenumeral 5 indicates the lock cylinder which is preferably formed as adie-casting and has an enlarged head 6 at its outer end, and a latchactuating stem 1 projecting from its inner end.

Partially encircling the base of p the stem 1 is a section of acylindrical skirt 8. In the space between the skirt section 8 and thestem, a torsion spring 9 is mounted. The ends of this spring are loopedover the edges of the skirt section 8 and project out beyond these edgesto also engage adjacent edges (not shown) carried by the mounting sleeve12 in which the cylinder is rotatably mounted. The spring 9 thusyieldably holds the cylinder in its normal position of rotation fromwhich it may be turned in either direction.

lhe mounting sleeve [2 is fixed in an outer supporting member l3, androtatably mounts the cylinder by means of a counterbore l4 receiving theinner portion 6' of the cylinder, and a small diameter bore 15 receivinga cylindrical projection It on the inner end of the cylinder. Theprojection lficarries the skirt section 8 as an extension thereof.

The cylinder is thus rotatably mounted at its opposite ends and has itsmajor portion spaced from the mounting sleeve. In this space, theinterlocking member H which is in the form of a sleeve, is freelyrotatably mounted, as will be hereinafter more fully described,

Any means may be employed to hold the cylinder in the mounting sleeve.In the present instance, this function is performed by a screw l8threaded into the mounting sleeve with its inner end projecting into anarcuate groove 19 in the adjacent portion of the cylinder.

The tumblers 20. are mounted in a rectangular chamber or opening 2|extending diametrically through the central portion of the cylinder. Anydesired type of tumbler may be employed. The tumblers illustrated aresimilar to those shown and described in the copending application ofEdward N. Jacobi,.filed November 3, 1933, Serial No. 696,467, and arearranged in pairs to be oppositely projected by common springs one foreach pair of tumblers.

All of the tumblers are cut away at one side to provide key receivingrecesses or keyways 23 in line with a key opening 24 in the cylinder.Extending down the key opening 24 and continuing. along the side wall ofthe chamber 2| to project into the key-ways 23 of all of the tumblers isa rib 25. This rib like the tiunblers, is shown and described in detailin the aforesaid application of Edward N. Jacobi, and forms no part ofthe present invention.

'Intheir normal'locked or projected positions, the tumblers projectthrough diametrically opposite openings34 in the interlocking sleeve andinto slots or openings 35 in the mounting sleeve I 2. The openings .35are wider than the openings 34 and the width of the tumblers, so as topermit adegree-of turning on the part of the cylinder when the tumblersare in their operative positions. During this permitted turning motion,the interlocking sleeve is actuated to its operative position, as willbe hereinafter more fully described.

The interlocking sleeve I! is freely rotatably mounted by four rotatablymounted rods or pins 36'-locatedat the frontend of the lock and foursimilar rods or pins 31 at the rear end of the lock. These pins arefreely rotatably and slidably mounted in slitted bores 38 formed in themounting sleeve l2. The slits in the bores 38 permit the cylindricalsurfaces of the pins to project beyond the adjacent inner Surface of themounting sleeve so as to space the interlocking sleeve I! from themounting sleeve. The pins 35 and 3'! thus provide a roller bearingsupport for the interlocking sleeve.

These pins 36 and 31 also coact with compression springs 39 confinedbetween the inner ends of the pins, as best shown in Figure 6, toyieldably urge the interlocking sleeve inwardly with respect to the lockstructure. For this purpose, the outer pins 36 bear against the innerface 48 of the head 6 on the cylinder and the pins 3'! engage abutments4! formed on the inner end portion of the interlocking sleeve.

The extreme inner end of the sleeve has a plurality of cam projections42 having inclined faces which engage correspondingly inclined abutments43 formed as integral parts of the mounting sleeve l2. The action of thesprings 39 through the pins 36 and I1 yieldably retains the interlockingsleeve in its innermost position at which the cam projections 42 are atthe bottom of the inclined abutments and the openings 34 in the sleevealign with the ends of the tumblers so as not to obstruct thefreeprojection of the tumbler ends therethrough.

As hereinbefore brought out, the excess width of the openings 35 inthemounting cylinder per-V mits a degree of rotation on the part of thecylinder and the interlocking sleeve while the tumblers are fullyprojected. In the event such rotation is imparted to the interlockingsleeve by turning of the cylinder while any tumbler is in any but fullyretracted position, the coacting inclined faces 42 and 43 slide theinterlocking sleeve outwardly to engage locking lugs 44 carried on theouter end thereof, in recesses 45 formed in the head of the cylinder.

Upon completion of the degree of rotation of the cylinder andinterlocking sleeve sufficient to engage the locking lugs 44in thecylinder head recesses 45, the ends 46 of the abutments or arouateprojections 4! on'the sleeve will engage stop abutments 41 formed on themounting cylinder. The engagement of the ends 46 with these stopabutments positively prevents further rotation of the interlockingsleeve and consequently the cylinder even though the tumblers may besubsequently retracted.

Upon release of the torsional stress which has turned the cylinder andsleeve to effect the interlocking of the cylinder and the stationarysleeve I2, the springs 39 act to return the interlocking sleeve andconsequently the cylinder to normal locked position.

It is to be noted that when the lock is in its locked condition and thetumblers are projected to their operative positions, there is no surfaceor edge against which the tumblers can be brought to bear to effectdecoding. The application of any torsional'stress on the cylinder, as inan attempt to engage the corners of the tumblers under adjacent edges,rotates the interlocking sleeve, so that the sides of the openings 34which form the only edges adjacent the corners of the tumblers, movewith the tumblers and are thus so located that at no time will there bea surface against which the tumblers can be brought to bear.

'In View of the fact that thecylinder is journalled at its oppositeends, there need be no contact Whatever between the cylinder and theinner surface of the interlocking sleeve, and in fact, a slightclearance is left between these two surfaces. This clearance, togetherwith the roller bearing mounting for the interlocking sleeve insures.its .free rotation.

This free floating support for the interlocking sleeve also makes itimpossible to cramp the cylinder against the sleeve and hold itfrictionally against turning, which is sometimes attempted duringpicking of the lock, and thus insures unrestricted functioning of theinterlocking sleeve at all times.

While the provision of the roller bearing support for the interlockingsleeve is preferable from the standpoint of ease of operation, theinventive concept is also readily applicable to a lock structure inwhich the interlocking sleeve is journalled directly on the lockcylinder and in Figures '7, 8 and 9, this modification of the inventionis illustrated.

The general arrangement of the elements is the same in this embodimentas in the form described. The lock cylinder is rotatably mounted in amounting sleeve [2 and is provided with the oppositely projectingtumblers 2D in the same manner as in the embodiment hereinbefo-redescribed.

The distinction lies in the construction of the interlocking sleeve 58and its assembly with the lock cylinder and casing. In this instance,the interlocking sleeve has a uniform internal diameter as well as auniform external diameter and is freely rotatably journalled directly onthe lock cylinder. At diametrically opposite sides, the interlockingsleeve has generally rectangular openings 5| to receive the projectedend portions of the tumblers, and as best illustrated in Figure 9, thesides of these openings instead of being straight, are stepped.Consequently, the protection against possible decoding is materiallyamplified as rotation of the lock cylinder, while any tumbler is stillpartially projected, will be imparted to the interlocking sleeve throughsuch tumbler engaging its step and all of the tumblers inwardly of theactive tumbler will be spaced a substantial distance from the adjacentedge of the opening 5|. Hence, it will be impossible to engage the innertumblers under the edges of the interlocking sleeve while said activetumbler is engaging its step.

As in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the forward end of theinterlocking sleeve has a locking lug 52 projecting therefrom to engagein a notch or recess 53 in the inner wall of the head of the cylinderupon forward longitudinal shifting of the interlocking sleeve.

The means for effecting forward axial shifting of the interlockingsleeve consists of two diametrically opposite pins 54 anchored in themounting sleeve l2, and engaging in V-shaped slots 55 in theinterlocking sleeve (see Figure '7).

The apexes of the V-shaped slots are pointed to the front of the lock sothat upon relative rotation between the interlocking sleeve and themounting sleeve which carries the pins 54, forward longitudinal motionwill be imparted to the interlocking sleeve' The return of theinterlocking sleeve to its normal inactive position is effected byretracting the lock cylinder back to its normal position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, thatthis invention affords a novel, sturdy lock which cannot be picked ordecoded, at least with any known instrument or method.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a look, a rotatable lock cylinder, a stationary element in whichsaid lock cylinder is mounted, locking tumblers carried by the cylinderto restrain rotation of the cylinder with respect to the stationaryelement, said locking tumblers being retractable by a proper key to freethe cylinder for rotation, a member encircling the lock cylinder, saidmember being engageable by the projected ends of the tumblers, means onsaid member operable upon movement to a predetermined position to form apositive interlock between the lock cylinder and stationary element, andmeans to move said member to said predetermined position upon rotationof the lock cylinder effected while any tumbler is in any but fullyretracted position.

2. In a lock including a rotatable lock cylinder and a stationaryelement mounting the lock cylinder, and an interlocking sleeveencircling the lock cylinder, said interlocking sleeve beinglongitudinally shiftable to a position positively interlocking thecylinder and stationary element.

3. In a look, a stationary element bored to receive a lock cylinder, arotatable lock cylinder journalled at its ends in the stationary elementwith its medial portion spaced from the wall of the bore, aninterlocking element surrounding the lock cylinder in the space betweenthe wall of the bore and the cylinder and rotatably mounted in said boreindependently of the lock cylinder with a clearance space between saidinterlocking element and the cylinder, and means on said interlockingelement to engage portions of the stationary element and the lockcylinder to positively interlock said elements against relative rotationunder certain conditions.

4. In a lock, a stationary element, a lock cylinder rotatably mounted insaid stationary element, an interlocking sleeve encircling the lockcylinder, means on said sleeve engageable with the stationary elementand the lock cylinder to positively interlock said units againstrelative rotation upon longitudinal shifting of said sleeve, and meansto shift said sleeve longitudinally upon unauthorized rotation of thelock cylinder.

5. In a lock, a rotatable lock cylinder, a stationary member to mountthe lock cylinder, a member movable relative to the lock cylinder andthe stationary element to interlock the cylinder and stationary member,and means mounting said interlocking member independently of the lockcylinder and spaced from the stationary member to preclude interferencewith the proper functioning of said interlocking member by contact witheither the lock cylinder or the stationary member.

6. In a look, a lock cylinder, a stationary-member rotatably mountingthe lock cylinder, a sleeve telescoped over the lock cylinder, meansmounting said sleeve in the stationary mounting member of the lockcylinder, means on said sleeve operable upon endwise shifting thereof tointerlock the lock cylinder and mounting member, and means to shift saidsleeve endwise upon rotation thereof.

7. In a look, a lock cylinder, a stationary mounting member rotatablymounting the cylinder, a rotatable and endwise shiftable interlockingmember disposed between the lock cylinder and the stationary mountingmember, means on said member to establish an interlocking connectionbetween the cylinder and the mounting member upon endwise shifting ofsaid member, and means to shift said interlocking member endwise uponturning thereof.

8. In a lock, a lock' cylinder, locking tumblers carried by the lockcylinder and yieldably projected from the lock cylinder, a stationarymounting member having recesses into which the spring projected ends of'the tumblers extend, said recesses being wider than the width of thetumblers, whereby the lock cylinder has a predetermined degree 'ofpermitted rotation with respect to the mounting member While thetumblers are in their projected positions, an interlocking sleevedisposed between the cylinder and the stationary mounting member, saidsleeve having openings through which the ends of the tumblers project,said openings being but slightly wider than the tumblers so thatapplication of turning force to the cylinder effected while any tumbleris still partially projected likewise imparts rotation to saidinterlocking sleeve, means to shift the sleeve endwise upon turningthereof, and means operable upon endwise shifting of the sleeve toeffect an interlocking connection between the cylinder and thestationary mounting member. 7

9. In a look, a lock cylinder, tumblers carried by the lock cylinder andyieldably projected from the lock cylinder, a stationary mounting memberto rotatably mount the cylinder, said stationary mounting member havingrecesses to receive the projected ends of the tumblers, said recessesbeing wider than the width of the tumblers to allow a predetermineddegree of rotation on the part of the lock cylinder while the tumblersare in their projected locking positions, a movable member havingopenings through which the tumblers project for engagement with therecesses of the stationary member, said openings being narrower thanthe'recesses so that the edges thereof are near the tumblers to beengaged by the tumblers upon turning of the lock cylinder while thetumblers are projected so that said edges move with the cylinder and thetumblers to retain their relative positions with respect to the tumblersand prevent decoding by bringing the tumblers to bear against the cornerof any one of said edges, and means to positively interlock said lockcylinder and stationary mounting member upon rotation of the cylindereffected while the tumblers are projected prior to the tumblers reachingthe edges of the recesses in the stationary mounting member.

10'. In a lock, the combination of a lock cylinder having springprojected tumblers, an interlocking sleeve telescoped over thecylinderand having openings through which the spring projected ends ofthe tumblers extend, and a common mounting member to freely rotatablymount the cylinder and the sleeve entirely independently of each otherand with a clearance space therebetween.

11. In a lock, the combination of a lock cylinder having springprojected tumblers, an interlocking sleeve telescoped over the cylinderand having openings through which the spring projected ends of'thetumblers extend, a common mounting member to freely rotatably mount thecylinder and the sleeve entirely independently of each other, and meanson said sleeve engageable upon predetermined movement thereof withportions of the lock cylinder and the mounting member to positivelyinterlock said units against relative movement.

12. In a lock, the combination of a lock cylinder having tumblersyieldably projected from opposite sides of the cylinder, an interlockingsleeve telescoped over the cylinder and having 7 diametrically oppositeopenings through which the projected ends of the tumblers extend, and acommon mounting member to freely rotatably mount the cylinder and'thesleeve entirely independently of each other and with a clearance spacetherebetween.

13. In a look, a rotatable lock cylinder, tumblers yieldably projectedfrom the lock cylinder, an interlocking sleeve telescoped over the lockcylinder and having openings through which the projected ends of thetumblers extend, the tumblers engaging the sides of said openings toimpart rotation to said sleeve upon turning of the cylinder while thetumblers are projected from the cylinder, a stationary mounting memberrotatably mounting the cylinder and the sleeve, cooperating cam meanscarried by the sleeve and the stationary mounting member to move thesleeve endwise upon turning thereof by the cylinder, and means on saidsleeve engageable with portions of the cylinder and the mounting memberupon such endwise shifting of the sleeve to positively'interlock thecylinder and mounting member.

14. In a lock, the combination of a rotatable lock cylinder havingretractable spring pressed tumblers normally projecting therefrom, aninterlocking sleeve telescoped over the cylinder and having openingsthrough which the spring projected ends of the tumblers project, acommon mounting member freely rotatably mounting the cylinder and thesleeve independently of each other, said sleeve being rotatable by thelock cylinder upon application of turning stress imparted thereto whileany tumbler is in any but fully retracted position,,cooperating cammeans on the sleeve and the mounting member to move the sleeve endwiseupon turning thereof, spring means yieldably retaining the sleeve in itsnormal position, and means on the sleeve engageable with portions of thecylinder and mounting member to interlock said elements and secure thelock cylinder against further rotation.

15. In a look, a rotatable lock cylinder, a mounting member for the lockcylinder, an interlocking member encircling the cylinder and operableupon movement to a predetermined position to interlock the cylinder andmounting member, and means to freely rotatably mount the interlockingmember including a plurality of rotatable elements between theinterlocking member and the mounting member.

16. In a lock, a rotatable lock cylinder, a mounting member rotatablymounting the lock cylinder with a space between part of the cylinder andthe mounting member, an interlocking sleeve encircling the cylinder anddisposed in said space between the cylinder and mounting member, meanson said interlocking sleeve to engage portions of the cylinder andmounting member to interlock the same upon predetermined ,movement ofsaid sleeve, and means to freely rotatably mount said sleeve from themounting member entirely independently of the lock cylinder includinganti-friction means disposed between the interlocking sleeve and themounting member.

17. In a look, a lock cylinder, a mounting member for the lock cylinder,an interlocking sleeve telescoped over the lock cylinder, means on saidinterlocking sleeve engageable with por-' tions of the cylinder andmounting member upon endwise movement of the sleeve with respect to thecylinder and the mounting member to interlock said elements, means toimpart endwise movement of the sleeve upon turning thereof, and means toyieldably retain the sleeve in an inactive position, said last mentionedmeans in-. cluding a plurality of pins carried by the mounting memberand forming roller bearings to freely rotatably mount the sleeve.

18. In a look, a lock cylinder, a mounting member for the lock cylinder,an interlocking member normally in an inoperative position and movableto an operative position positively interlocking the lock cylinder andthe mounting member, means to transmit rotation to the interlockingmember upon actuation of the lock cylinder by means other than itsproper key, and common means to move the interlocking member to itsoperative position upon rotation of the interlocking member and topositively limit the possible rotation of the interlocking member.

19. In a look, a mounting! member, a lock cylinder therein, tumblerscarried by the lock cylinder retractable by the insertion of a properkey to free the cylinder for rotation, an interlocking member engageableby any tumbler not fully retracted to be turned upon turning of the lockcylinder while any one of the tumblers is in any but fully retractedposition, cooperating means on said interlocking member and the lockcylinder adapted upon relative axial shifting between said interlockingmember and cylinder to provide a non-rotatable connection therebetween,and cooperating means carried by the mounting member and theinterlockingv member to effect axial shifting of the interlocking memberupon rotation of the interlocking member and to positively limitrotation of the interlocking member.

20. In a look, a bored mounting member, a lock cylinder therein,tumblers carried by the lock cylinder retractable by a proper key tofree the cylinder for rotation, an interlocking member disposed betweenthe lock cylinder and the mounting member bore and having a partengageable by a tumbler in any but fully retracted position and havingmeans to efiect a non-rotatable connection with the lock cylinder upon1ongitudinal shifting of the interlocking member in one direction, andcooperating means carried by the mounting member and the interlockingmember operable to shift the interlocking member in said direction uponrotation of the interlocking member imparted thereto from the lockcylinder through the engagement of a tumbler with the interlockingmember, and said cooperating means also positively limiting the rotationof the interlocking member.

21. In a look, a bored mounting member, a lock cylinder having keyoperable tumblers and mounted to rotate in the mounting member, aninterlocking member disposed between the lock cylinder and the bore ofthe mounting member and operable upon axial shifting thereof to effectan interlock with the lock cylinder, a pin carried by one of'saidmembers and engaging in an inclined slot in the other of said members toeffect axial shifting of the interlocking member upon rotation thereof,and said interlocking member being rotatable as a result of rotationtransmitted thereto from the lock cylinder through any tumbler in anybut retracted position.

22. In a look, a bored mounting member, a lock cylinder having keyoperable tumblers in the mounting member, an interlocking memberdisposed between the lock cylinder and the bore of the mounting memberand operable upon axial shifting thereof to effect an interlock with thelock cylinder, a pin carried by one of said members and engaging in aninclined slot in the other of said members to effect axial shifting ofthe interlocking member upon rotation thereof, and said interlockingmember being rotatable as a result of rotation transmitted thereto fromthe lock cylinder through any tumbler in any but retracted position, andsaid slot also defining the limits of rotation of the interlockingmember.

23. In a lock structure, the combination of a casing, a rotatablecylinder in said casing having radially extending locking tumblers, asleeve within said casing surrounding said cylinder and having a slotfor receiving the cylinder tumblers when projected, said sleeve beingfree to rotate by the engagement of the projected tumblers therewithwhen the cylinder is rotated, and means controlled during the initialpart of such rotary movement of the sleeve with the cylinder to directlylock the cylinder against further rotational movement.

24. A lock structure comprising a casing, a cylinder rotatable in saidcasing and having radially projectable tumblers, a sleeve freelyrotatable in said casing and surrounding said cylinder and having a slotfor receiving the tumblers when projected and by which said sleeve willbe caused to rotate with said cylinder when the tumblers have not beenwithdrawn by the insertion in the cylinder of a proper key, a lockingmember on said casing, and means controlled by the rotary movement ofsaid sleeve with said cylinder for interlocking said locking member withsaid cylinder to prevent further rotational movement thereof.

25. In a lock, the combination of a casing, a lock cylinder in saidcasing having transverse passageways therethrough and locking tumblersshiftable in said passageways to normally pro- J'ect beyond the endsthereof and to be withdrawn into the cylinder when a proper key isinserted in the cylinder, and structure intermediate said casing andcylinder and having passageways for coinciding with opposite ends ofsaid tumbler passageways to receive the ends of projected tumblers, saidintermediate structure being movable with the projected tumblers uponturning of the cylinder whereby to retain the passageways therein inalignment with the tumbler passageways.

JOHN W. FITZ GERALD.

